This is the 12th in a series of previews of LSU's 2013 opponents. Each day we'll take a look at another opponent through the eyes of someone who knows them the best - the local beat writer.

Arkansas beat writer Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette chimes in with a quick, five-question survey of the Razorbacks. LSU hosts Arkansas Nov. 29 in Tiger Stadium at 1:30 p.m. on CBS. See the Tigers' full schedule here.

Arkansas

2012 Record: 4-8, 3-5

Coach: Bret Bielema, first year

Returning starters: Offense (4), Defense (8)

Is it safe to say Bret Bielema is bringing Big Ten football to Fayetteville?

The Razorbacks want to build their identity around being physical in the trenches, drive-blocking more than the previous regime. You could call it Old School, Big Ten-style, or as Bielema referenced it himself, good American football. The transition to offensive linemen with stronger lower bodies is not likely to take place overnight. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney's itch is to mix in downfield throws, so the Razorbacks have to establish at least a moderately successful run game to make the play-action passes possible.

What is the state of the quarterback position?

Inexperienced is the best word. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Allen completed less than 50 percent of his throws last year, though admittedly most of his reps came in unfavorable situations, such as his start against No. 1 Alabama and garbage time in a bad weather game against Kentucky. The John L. Smith regime erred last season in not giving him more quality reps in wipeout games after Tyler Wilson's return from missing the Bama game with a concussion.

Walk-on A.J. Derby, a transfer from Iowa, is the first guy behind Allen since senior Brandon Mitchell, an Amite native, transferred to North Carolina State. Freshman Austin Allen, brother of the starter, has a big upside, but the Hogs would ideally like to redshirt him and Damon "Duwop" Mitchell to get two years of separation at the position.

Who will emerge as the team's top running back?

Jonathan Williams, with a year under his belt, will open camp as the starter, but blue chipper Alex Collins comes in with a big skill set and an ideal build to be a high-rep back in a Bielema offense. Wisconsin's best teams had two or three quality backs splitting the load, and that's likely going to be the case with the Razorbacks, with big backs Kiero Small and Kody Walker getting some carries along with scat-back Nate Holmes.

Will the defense carry the bigger burden with a strong defensive line?

Under Bielema, the defense will not face the same amount of stress as it did under the regime of Bobby and Paul Petrino, who had some sub-1 minute possessions. If the Arkansas defensive line is as good as advertised the Razorbacks can have a better-than-expected performance on defense after their secondary was ravaged much of 2012. Though none of the team's linebackers has a load of experience or name recognition around the SEC, a few guys are expected to rise up under the tutelage of Randy Shannon to have breakthrough seasons.

Is there a sense among Arkansas fans that the Hogs will have to take a step back this season to move forward in the future?

Arkansas' schedule looks daunting and the fans are realists about a coaching staff change after a disaster of a season. When you throw in a lack of experience at the skill spots virtually across the board and the transition to a regime that is fundamentally different than the previous one, the road certainly appears like a rough one for the Razorbacks. Arkansas' brutal schedule, with road games at Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU, as well as a non-conference return game at Rutgers, and a harrowing stretch that features games in succession against Rutgers, Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina and Alabama, is not for the faint of heart. If the Hogs go winless in SEC road games, a distinct possibility, they will have to sweep their non-conference games and win two SEC home games (A&M, South Carolina, Auburn, Mississippi State) to go bowling.